A♭ major seventh (A♭maj7) chord on piano

The A♭ major seventh chord (A♭maj7) is a major seventh chord (a major triad plus a major seventh), made of four notes: A♭ – C – E♭ – G. The same chord with a different spelling: G♯ major seventh (G♯maj7).

Root position: A♭3 – C4 – E♭4 – G4

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What the A♭maj7 chord sounds like

The major seventh chord sounds soft, dreamy and a little jazzy. The major seventh sits a half step below the root, so it rubs gently against it without needing to resolve.

Notes of the A♭maj7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	A♭	root
3	C	major third (4 semitones)
5	E♭	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	G	major seventh (11 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

A♭3 – C4 – E♭4 – G4

1st inversion

C4 – E♭4 – G4 – A♭4

2nd inversion

E♭4 – G4 – A♭4 – C5

3rd inversion

G4 – A♭4 – C5 – E♭5

Which keys is it in?

The A♭maj7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

A♭ major: Imaj7 (tonic)
E♭ major: IVmaj7 (subdominant)
F minor: IIImaj7
C minor: VImaj7

Similar chords and substitutes

If A♭maj7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Fm7 – relative minor seventh: three shared notes
Cm7 – mediant minor seventh: three shared notes
A♭6 – another tonic colour, more vintage and swingy

Simpler versions

A♭ – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

A♭maj9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A♭maj7 chord?

A♭, C, E♭, G. The root is A♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, major seventh.

How do I play the A♭maj7 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the A♭maj7 chord written?

The chord symbol is A♭maj7 (also written Abmaj7), and its full name is A♭ major seventh.